"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
The announcement follows mounting fears that the two nuclear-armed countries were on the brink of engaging in another full-scale war.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.
"Ukraine and all allies are ready for a complete unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days, starting as early as Monday," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.
The visit marks Merz’s first trip to Ukraine, and the first time all four leaders have travelled there together.
A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department's NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.
"As in the past, it is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace," the EU's statement reads.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming in an interview with ABC News on May 10 that it would be "an advantage" for Ukraine.
"Our involvement in the war was justifiable, and this belongs to our sovereign rights," North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said. "I regard this as part of the sacred mission we must execute for our brothers and comrades-in-arms."
The number includes 1,310 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Zelensky marks second anniversary of key Kyiv Oblast battle
President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the second anniversary of the battle of Moshchun in Kyiv Oblast on March 21, where Ukrainian forces defended against the Russian advance on Kyiv in the first weeks of the full-scale invasion.
Moshchun is located just three kilometers (two miles) north of Kyiv's city limits. Some of the fiercest fighting in the battle of Kyiv took place in the forest near Moshchun in March 2022.
Russia's defeat in Moshchun prevented its troops from encircling Ukraine's capital and subsequently forced Russian troops to withdraw from northern Ukraine in early April 2022.
During a moment of silence, the names of 118 Ukrainians who died in the battle for the village were read out.
"Today we commemorate a battle that took place already two years ago, but it must never be forgotten. That time largely determined the fate of the Ukrainian state," Zelensky said at the ceremony.
"At that time, we did not have such powerful weapons as we have now, but we already had the main thing – the courage of people and the ability of Ukrainians to make the right choice."
Zelensky laid flowers at a memorial to soldiers who were killed defending the region and presented state awards to military personnel, border guards, members of the National Guard, and personnel from the Security Service of Ukraine.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
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